Virgin Knight Who Is the Frontier Lord in the Gender Switched World - Chapter 27

The first shot was, I believe, around 600 meters ahead, precisely at the spot where a knight obstructing the path was cut down.

The arrow flying towards me was reflexively blocked with the hilt of my greatsword.

Had I not blocked it, the arrow would have pierced through the chest of my chain mail, and I would have been dead.

The lingering numbness in my arm attested to the intense power of that arrow.

“Ara Ara, that way?”

I pinpointed the direction.

There, the enemy commander whom I must vanquish, defeating her would enable my escape from this deadly predicament, was located.

So my battlefield instinct prompted me.

Flügel, my beloved horse, also pointed his nose in that direction, signaling “that way, that way.”

Flügel is wiser than I am on the battlefield.

Indeed, the opinions of knight and steed are aligned.

I silently follow Flügel’s lead and raise my voice.

Second shot.

I slash it away with my greatsword.

Annoying.

This archer has considerable skill.

With an unspoken agreement, she shot a powerful arrow aimed directly at my forehead.

But, futile.

Cutting arrows is a superhuman norm.

Without this ability, one could hardly survive on the battlefield.

I recall a time during my past military service when it was commonplace for bandits to possess crossbows.

Why would mere bandits have crossbows?

Could they be disgraced nobles who failed to inherit their family’s legacy?

I ponder this question, but it’s irrelevant now.

Cross.

I shout with my voice.

My vassals, five in number, release arrows from crossbows confiscated from bandits during past military engagements.

The arrows penetrate chain mail, felling five Virendorf knights.

Indeed, the crossbow is mighty.

Third shot.

Irritating.

I catch it with the hilt of my greatsword.

Fourth shot.

Fifth shot.

Sixth shot.

Seventh shot.

Eighth shot.

Enough already.

The arrows of bandits are merely annoying, but these arrows are powerful and terrifying.

I deflect them with the blade and hilt of my greatsword.

No need for a kite shield; I never needed one to begin with.

The greatsword passed down through generations alone is sufficient to deflect arrows.

This archer, a monster indeed.

Perhaps a superhuman like myself.

While harboring this thought, eventually realizing it was futile, or perhaps simply running out of arrows to shoot.

Eventually, my vassals and I reach the heart of the enemy knight order.

“I challenge the Virendorf Knight Commander to a duel!”

My declaration.

In response, the longbow archer, the Virendorf Knight Commander—Reckenber.

Ah, she was indeed formidable.

Undoubtedly a hero of Virendorf.

Among all the knights I’ve faced in my life, she was by far the strongest.

Just one more year.

Had she had one more year, I would have been defeated.

It was a mere year of training and innovation that led me to victory.

Or perhaps, if her talents were not solely as a commander but also focused on martial prowess like mine.

I would have been the one defeated.

Talent-wise, she probably had more than me.

I murmur such thoughts to Martina beside me.

“A tale worthy of a hero’s epic, truly a battle between heroes. But why bring this up all of a sudden?”

“No particular reason, just bored.”

Currently, I am at the royal capital’s forge.

Talking to Martina, whom I brought along as a squire, about how strong the Virendorf campaign’s Knight Commander Reckenber was.

In front of us, a merchant claps her hands.

Ingritt Commerce.

Anastasia, the First Princess, has designated my merchant, Ingritt Commerce, to prepare a fluted armor for my personal use.

Such thoughtful consideration on her part.

Ingritt is pleased with the large order.

“Ah, the price for the arrangement has been quite a learning experience, but outfitting a full set of fluted armor does come at a good price. And to think it’s paid in advance. Truly fitting of the Second Princess’s Advisor Polydoro.”

“The payment this time comes entirely from Princess Anastasia’s allowance, so the Second Princess’s Advisor has nothing to do with it.”

I respond to Ingritt.

I never imagined Princess Anastasia would buy me a personal set of fluted armor.

And that, entirely separate from this mission’s reward.

Truly, the First Princess’s allowance is more abundant than the Second’s.

This time, I sincerely thank Princess Anastasia.

My more than 2 meters tall frame’s chain mail was starting to fray.

Well, appearing weak in attire is not wise as a vice envoy.

Except in Virendorf, where armor is considered formal attire for a military officer.

It would be unseemly otherwise.

“However, completing the armor within a month means we can’t rely solely on the usual blacksmith. In addition to the man who usually maintains your greatsword and chain mail, we’ll need to employ several female blacksmiths.”

“It doesn’t matter. As long as they come recommended by Ingritt, their skills must be up to par.”

My chastity belt, worn around my waist.

I usually entrust the maintenance of my beloved greatsword and chain mail to a male blacksmith.

But this time is different.

There’s not enough time for just one person to prepare a full suit of armor.

Measured by female blacksmiths, they touch my body all over to get the size right.

Their hands, thick from blacksmithing, convey the passion of armor crafters.

“Since the measurements are already taken, wouldn’t it be okay to leave now?”

“No, no, there’s no time to waste. We still need to adjust it to fit the body properly.”

“And with that, I’ve been visiting the forge every day for a week.”

Well, it can’t be helped.

Though I think this way, I am frustrated by how much time it takes.

So much so that I end up recounting tales of the Virendorf campaign to Martina, who accompanies me, simply to pass the time.

Out of boredom, I glance to the side and see the court mage, busy as ever, engraving magical runes onto the sheets of metal that will become the armor.

Preparing for the enchantment – the addition of spells.

Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve ever seen a mage.

Mages are a rare presence in this world.

Their ability is entirely innate, with no chance of awakening it later in life.

Maybe one in ten thousand people, if that.

That’s how rare they are.

But magic certainly exists.

Just like the ancestral magical greatsword I carry at my waist.

“I’ve never seen a mage before,”

Martina murmurs.

Living in a town of a thousand people, it’s understandable for Martina.

Except for the ducal families, mages, once their abilities are recognized, are unquestionably summoned to the court.

The method for discovering mages is quite simple.

Just placing one’s hands over a magical orb or crystal ball. If the crystal lights up in response, that’s it.

These crystals are kept in churches throughout the regions.

Naturally, there’s one in the church in my domain, Polydoro.

Needless to say, I have no magical talents.

I confirmed it when I was about five years old.

Not a single one among my 300 subjects.

Well, even if there were any, they would be summoned to the royal palace.

However, their families and my domain would receive a hefty reward.

And the treatment for the mage themselves would differ significantly.

Regardless of being a slave or a commoner, they are treated as the new head of a hereditary noble family, no questions asked.

Of course, they undergo rigorous Spartan training to become mages and nobles, regardless of their protests.

Honestly, it’s not as tough as the knight training I underwent.

I don’t hold any grudges against my late mother, though.

Anyway, mages are rare!

And there’s one right before my eyes.

I’d love to have a conversation with her, but…

“Do NOT cut this sheet metal, alright?! Make the armor without cutting it! If you do, I’ll kill you! Do you understand?! People have spent this whole week, aside from eating and sleeping, engraving these magical inscriptions!”

She’s seriously furious.

The female mage is absolutely livid.

“It’s impossible to do in a month! To engrave magical inscriptions on all the armor plates by myself in a month – and considering the processing time, that’s not even half a month! Ridiculous, royal family! There are things people can and cannot do!”

She’s beyond angry.

It’s impossible to approach her now.

If she were to confront me saying this is all my fault, I’d have no rebuttal.

I’d rather not stir up a hornet’s nest.

“I’m going to grab something to eat. Have the next sheet metal ready by then!”

With a huff, the female mage storms off.

I don’t even know her name.

Well, it’s fine; I seldom interact with mages.

Mages are that rare.

“She was really angry,”

“Yeah, really angry,”

I agree with Martina’s remark.

It’s an absurd request to produce an enchanted fluted armor in a month.

It’s Princess Anastasia’s demand, so everyone must comply, but I do feel somewhat responsible as one of the causes.

But there’s no helping it.

In Virendorf, armor is the formal attire for a military officer.

I cannot afford to be taken lightly.

I must prepare the finest suit of armor.

And achieve peace negotiations.

If that means securing a better chance of success, then armor is a small price to pay.

Princess Anastasia must think so too.

All I can say to the blacksmiths and mages involved is, “Thank you for your hard work.”

I sigh deeply.

“I had many questions for the mage,”

“About what, if I may ask?”

Ingritt looks curiously at me.

…No need to hide it.

“That is… I wondered if, like in stories, they could manipulate fire, light, smoke – becoming the best at creating fireworks, or dealing with enemies by controlling supernatural phenomena.”

The existence of mages is shrouded in mystery.

How vast is the power they wield?

Could it possibly surpass my own combat abilities?

As someone from a different world, I can’t help but have high expectations for mages in this medieval fantasy setting.

“From what I’ve heard, that’s not possible,”

Ingritt responds regretfully, shaking her head slightly.

“The main tasks of mages are to create communication devices like magical crystals, spyglasses, and other assistive devices, and to enchant weaponry like we’re doing now. Unfortunately, manipulating supernatural phenomena to defeat enemies, as in fantasy stories, is not possible.”

Ingritt insists.

“Moreover, against a superhuman – a term commonly used, but for someone like Lord Polydoro. Facing such beings is not feasible. Mages are rare, yes, and their magic and knowledge are essential. They create assistive devices and communication tools that can change the course of battles. However, they do not possess direct combat abilities.”

Ingritt’s assertion is a bit disappointing.

The world of classic fantasy I read about in my previous life doesn’t exist here.

There’s never been a mage equivalent to an entire army in the history books.

I knew it, but it’s still sad.

After all, it’s magic.

As someone who still retains modern Japanese values, it’s natural to have expectations.

I try to console myself.

“Well, I knew it, but still, it’s disappointing,”

I respond honestly to Ingritt.

Truly disappointing.

Deep down, “The Lord of the Rings” still lingers in my heart.

It can’t be helped.

I make excuses to myself.

“What will the fluted armor look like?”

“It’s difficult to say, but would a bucket-type helmet be acceptable?”

“Bucket?”

I’d prefer a helmet type that deflects everything.

This world already has guns used by mercenaries, though they’re primitive.

“That would be a great helm, actually. You might have to wear a coif or a chain mail hood underneath.”

“I don’t like that. Wouldn’t a bucket helm look terrible with fluted armor?”

The downside includes a restricted field of view.

The advantages of wearing chain mail include a wide field of vision and light weight.

Not wearing a helmet contributes to these benefits.

And the drawbacks of a great helm include a narrow field of vision and the weight pressing on the shoulders and neck, slowing down attack speed.

“Honestly, we don’t have the time to make a complex helmet. And frankly, does a hero like Lord Polydoro really need full armor? Perhaps going without a helmet would make combat on the battlefield easier?”

“You speak as if you know.”

I voice my frustration at Ingritt, but perhaps she’s right.

Originally, I felt chain mail was sufficient for the battlefield.

I never felt more in need of full body armor than during my duel with the Knight Commander Reckenber.

A great helm, if it’s detachable, might not be a bad option.

“The weight issue of the great helm can be solved with the mage’s enchantment. We made this decision considering Lord Polydoro’s needs. I hope you agree.”

“That’s fine, then. You can make a proper fluted helmet later, right?”

“Yes. It’ll be easily interchangeable. After your journey, we’ll make sure to prepare it.”

If it’s something that can be rectified later, then it’s fine.

I doubt I’ll need it, though.

I consent for now and sigh at the thought of another boring span of time.

Martina is my only conversation partner.

She’s not a child who needs constant lectures on the mindset of a knight.

I seriously consider starting Martina’s swordsmanship training right there in the forge.